Systems, methods, and devices for an automobile door or window

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and devices for a vehicle door or window are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a cabin located within the body of the vehicle, wherein the cabin includes an interior that is configured to accommodate at least one person. The vehicle includes at least one seat located in the interior of the cabin that is configured for seating a user. The vehicle includes at least one door that provides ingress and egress to the interior of the cabin of the vehicle, and the at least one door is located with respect to the body such that the door opens to provide ingress and egress into the cabin from a backside of the seat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/396,209 filed Dec. 30, 2016, which application is acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/357,350 filed Nov. 21, 2016, entitled “MOTOR GEARBOX ASSEMBLY” whichalso claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.62/391,745 filed May 9, 2016, entitled “MOTOR GEARBOX ASSEMBLY,” andalso claims the benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.62/273,256 filed Dec. 30, 2015, entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICESFOR AN AUTOMOBILE DOOR OR WINDOW.” The disclosure of the foregoingapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties,including but not limited to those portions that specifically appearhereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with thefollowing exception: In the event that any portion of theabove-referenced applications are inconsistent with this application,this application supersedes said above-referenced applications.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and devices for anautomobile door or window, and more particularly relates to methods,systems, and devices for a door on a semi-truck vehicle.

BACKGROUND

A variety of vehicle doors have been developed, described, and arewidely known for providing ingress and egress into a vehicle. Vehicledoors, and particularly semi-truck doors, often provide immediate accessto a seat located in the body of the vehicle. The doors are often hingedand require a user to enter or exit the vehicle at an angle that may beuncomfortable or even dangerous. Semi-truck doors and seats are locateda significant distance above the ground and a user must be cautious toavoid injury when ascending the steps to the semi-truck door, openingthe hinged semi-truck door, and sliding on to the seat while closing thehinged door.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive implementations of the presentdisclosure are described with reference to the following figures,wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout thevarious views unless otherwise specified. Advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle made inaccordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle withthe door removed made in accordance with the teachings and principles ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle made inaccordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a vehicle made in accordancewith the teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a vehicle showing interiorcomponents of the vehicle made in accordance with the teachings andprinciples of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a vehicle showing interiorcomponents of the vehicle made in accordance with the teachings andprinciples of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an aerial view of a vehicle showing interior components of thevehicle made in accordance with the teachings and principles of thedisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a front aerial perspective view of a vehicle showing interiorcomponents of the vehicle made in accordance with the teachings andprinciples of the disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of an embodiment of a vehicle made in accordancewith the teachings and principles of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicants have recognized that it is advantageous to provide a vehicledoor, and particularly a semi-truck door, that allows a user to safelyand comfortably enter and exit the vehicle. According to one aspect ofthe disclosure, a vehicle includes a vehicle body and a cabin locatedwithin the body of the vehicle. The cabin includes an interior that isconfigured to accommodate at least one person and the cabin includes atleast one seat that is configured to seat at least one person. Thevehicle includes at least one door that provides ingress and egress tothe interior of the cabin of the vehicle, and the door opens into thecabin from a backside of the seat.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, an electric poweredsemi-truck includes a vehicle body, a cabin located within the vehiclebody, at least one seat located in the interior of the cabin, and asleeper portion located in the interior of the cabin. The semi-truckincludes at least one sliding door that opens to provide ingress andegress into the interior of the cabin. A user may access the exterior ofthe sliding door by ascending at least one exterior step mounted to theexterior of the vehicle body at the door. The sliding door is located atapproximately a midpoint of the vehicle body and the sliding doorprovides ingress and egress into the interior of the cabin from abackside of the at least one seat. The interior of the cabin includes alanding immediately adjacent to the sliding door wherein a user maystand at the landing and access the at least one seat or access thesleeper portion.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a vehicle includes avehicle body and a cabin located within the body of the vehicle. Thecabin includes an interior that is configured to accommodate at leastone person and the cabin includes at least one seat that is configuredto seat at least one person. The vehicle includes a plurality of frontwheels, and a majority of the seat is located at a position above theplurality of front wheels with respect to the body of the vehicle.

The disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and devices for anautomobile door or window. In the following description of thedisclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form apart hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specificimplementations in which the disclosure may be practiced. It isunderstood that other implementations may be utilized and structuralchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Despite the existing systems, methods, and devices relating toautomobile doors or windows, systems, methods, and devices for anautomobile door or window are still being developed and are needed. Aswill be seen, the disclosure provides such methods, systems, and devicesfor doors and windows of an automobile, particularly for semi-trucks, inan effective and elegant manner.

For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles inaccordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to theembodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will beused to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that nolimitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Anyalterations and further modifications of the inventive featuresillustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles ofthe disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to oneskilled in the relevant art and having possession of the disclosure, areto be considered within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to theparticular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed hereinas such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat.It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is usedfor the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting.

In describing the disclosure, the following terminology will be used inaccordance with the definitions set out below.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,”characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements ormethod steps.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of anembodiment of a vehicle 100 made in accordance with the teachings andprinciples of the disclosure. FIG. 1 shows an example vehicle 100, whichis an electric driven class 8 semi-truck called the NIKOLA ONE™. In oneembodiment, the vehicle 100 is configured to pull a total gross weightof 80,000 lbs. approximately 800 miles to 1,200 miles between stops, ormore than 1,200 miles between stops.

In an implementation, the vehicle 100 is an electric driven semi-truck100 having a vehicle body 102, a plurality of front wheels 142, aplurality of front wheel wells 144, a plurality of rear wheels 146, aplurality of rear wheel wells 148, and an electric motor and associatedgear train at every wheel 142. The vehicle 100 includes an aerodynamicdoor 110 that includes an integrated door window 114 and a door handle116. The door 110 includes an aerodynamic curvature 118 on the exteriordoor surface 112 that matches the curvature 104 of the vehicle 100. Inan implementation, the door 110 is a sliding door (as pictured inFIG. 1) and the door 110 slides on a track 120 that is integrated intothe exterior 106 of the vehicle 100. The vehicle body 102 includes anaerodynamic front windshield 130 and panoramic windows 132 on eitherside of the front windshield 130. The vehicle body 102 includes at leastone side window 134 on either side of the vehicle body 102, wherein anoperator or passenger of the vehicle may open or close the side window134. In an implementation, a side window 134 connects and matches upwith an integrated door window 114 when the door 110 is closed. Thevehicle body 102 includes a cabin window 136 located in a rear portionof the vehicle body 102 with respect to the front windshield 130. Thevehicle body 102 includes a sunroof 138 or moon roof integrated into theroof of the vehicle body 102. The vehicle body 102 further includes atleast one step 140 mounted to the exterior of the vehicle body 102. Thestep 140 is located such that a user may ascend or descend the at leastone step 140 when entering or exiting the vehicle through the door 110.

The vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an electric motor andassociated gear train (e.g., gear train with dual gear reduction) atevery wheel 142, 146, which motors and gear trains may be grouped inpairs to form a motor gearbox assembly as described in further detail inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/357,350 filed Nov. 21, 2016, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the four rear wheels 146 each include a dualwheel pair (two wheels that rotate together). The electric motor may beconfigured to produce any suitable horsepower (HP), such as 100 to 400HP, with six motors combined, may output about 2,000 HP and over 3,700ft. lbs. of torque before gear reduction, and nearly 86,000 ft. lbs. ofinstant torque after gear reduction. The vehicle's six electric motorsmay produce superior horsepower, torque, acceleration, pulling andstopping power over other class 8 semi-trucks known in the art. Itshould be noted that the inclusion of an electric motor, and theelimination of a standard combustion engine, may allow for thereconfiguration of the layout and structure of a standard semi-truck asknown in the art. The reconfiguration of many components of the vehiclebody 102 can be advantageous to a user, as disclosed and described inthe present application. The elimination of the combustion engine has,for example, provided for the at least one seat to be located at aposition nearer the front of the vehicle body 102 than in a conventionalsemi-truck.

In an embodiment, the vehicle is powered by an electric motor. Theelectric motors may be powered by any suitable energy storage system(ESS) such as a rechargeable battery pack that may be charged in anysuitable manner. For example, the ESS may include a liquid cooledlithium-ion battery pack which may be charged by an onboard turbine orfuel cell of a turbine or fuel cell assembly. The turbine or fuel cellmay automatically charge the batteries of the ESS when needed andeliminate the need to ever “plug-in” the batteries. The turbine or fuelcell may produce clean energy, which may provide ample battery power topower the vehicle. When going downhill, the vehicle's electric motorsmay be configured to absorb braking energy that is normally lost anddeliver the braking energy back to the batteries, thereby increasingcomponent life, miles per gallon, safety, and freight efficiencies whileeliminating noisy engine brakes and reducing the potential for a runawayvehicle.

The aerodynamic door 110 is located to improve access and safety whenentering or exiting the vehicle. In an implementation, the door 110 is asliding door as pictured in FIG. 1, and in a further implementation thedoor 110 is a hinged door. In an implementation, the door 110 is locateddirectly above a portion of the at least one step 140 such that a usermay comfortably ascend or descend the step 140 when entering or exitingthe vehicle through the door 110. The front of the vehicle body 102 isdenoted by the front windshield 130, the door 110 is located to abackside of the at least one front wheel 142 and wheel well 144. In animplementation, the step 140 is connected to the front wheel well 144and the door 110 is positioned immediately above the step 140 aspictured in FIG. 1. The door 110 permits ingress and egress into thevehicle body 102 and the door 110 opens to a backside of at least oneseat (see 510 in FIG. 5) in the interior cabin (see 550 in FIG. 5). Inan implementation, there is no additional door that provides immediateaccess to a seat. In an implementation, the door 110 provides ingressand egress from a backside of a seat and there is no other door on thatside of the vehicle body 102. In an implementation, the vehicle body 102includes a single door at a driver's side of the vehicle or at apassenger's side of the vehicle. In an implementation, the vehicle body102 includes two doors, wherein one door is located at a driver's sideof the vehicle and an additional door is located at a passenger's sideof the vehicle. In at least one implementation, more than one door maybe located on each side of the vehicle.

In an implementation, the door 110 extends from a top of the step 140 tothe top or roof of the vehicle body 102. In an implementation, the door110 provides an opening that is at least seven feet high. In animplementation, the door 110 provides an opening that is at least sixfeet six inches high. In an implementation, the door 110 provides anopening that is at least six feet high. In an implementation, the door110 provides an opening that is at least five feet high. In animplementation, the door 110 is configured to permit at least one personto stand in the door frame without bending down when the door 110 isopened.

The front of the vehicle body 102 is denoted by the front windshield 130and a front side of the door 110 is located adjacent to a backside ofthe front wheel well 144. Alternatively, a portion of the door 110 islocated above the front wheel well 144. In an implementation, a frontside of the door 110 is located at least six inches behind a backside ofthe front wheel well 144. In an implementation, a front side of the door110 is located at least twelve inches behind a backside of the frontwheel well 144. In an implementation, a front side of the door 110 islocated at least eighteen inches behind a backside of the front wheelwell. The width of the door 110 is configured to permit at least oneperson to stand in the doorframe while facing into the vehicle body 102when the door 110 is opened. In an implementation, the door 110 is atleast two feet wide. In an implementation, the door 110 is at leastthree feet wide. In an implementation, the door 110 is at least fourfeet wide. In an implementation, the door 110 is configured to permit atleast one person to stand in the doorframe while holding a standardsized piece of luggage and facing into the vehicle body 102 when thedoor 110 is opened.

In an implementation, the vehicle includes a drive motor attached to thedoor 110 that is configured to open or close the door. In animplementation, the drive motor is engaged when a user engages the doorhandle 116. In an implementation, the drive motor is automaticallyengaged when a sensor detects that a user is approaching the door 110.In an implementation, the door 110 includes a peak load sensor that isconfigured to sense a threshold load when the door is closing. In suchan implementation, the vehicle 100 includes a control unit that reversesthe direction of the door 110 and prohibits the door 110 from closingwhen the peak load sensor senses the threshold load. Such animplementation may be beneficial to ensure safety when entering orexiting the vehicle such that the door will not close on a user andinjure the user when the user is passing through the door 110.

It should be noted that the size and size of the door 110 can have asignificant impact on whether a person can safely and comfortably enteror exit the vehicle body 102. In an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the size and shape of the door 110 is configured to permit aperson to comfortably step into the vehicle body 102 as if steppingthrough a residential door. In an embodiment of the present disclosure,the door 110 is configured to permit a person to safely face into thevehicle body 102 when entering or exiting the vehicle body 102. The baseof the door 110 may be located at a significant distance above theground and it is beneficial to provide an ingress and egress into thevehicle body 102 that permits a person to comfortably and safely stepinto the vehicle body 102.

It should further be noted that the location of the door 110 can have asignificant impact on whether a person can safely and comfortably enteror exit the vehicle body 102. In an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the door is located at a backside of a seat such as thedriver's seat or the passenger's seat. In an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the door opens to a landing (see 552 in FIG. 5) and a personmay comfortably step into the vehicle body 102 while facing forward intothe vehicle body 102. It should be noted that prior art vehicle doorsare typically configured to provide immediate access to a vehicle seatand therefore require a user to enter the door at an angle. This can beparticularly dangerous in the case of a semi-truck, wherein the door andthe seat may be located at a significant distance above the ground andthe vehicle body may be very large. Particularly in the case ofsemi-trucks, a user may have difficulty entering or exiting thesemi-truck, and the user is at risk of injury while entering or exitingthe semi-truck, when the user must slide into or out of a seat of thevehicle while ascending or descending a step on the exterior of thevehicle. It is therefore beneficial to provide a vehicle door, andparticularly a semi-truck door, that permits a user to enter the vehiclewithout immediately sitting in a seat. In one implementation, a width ofthe door is completely unobstructed by a seat or seat cushion. In oneimplementation, a majority of the width of the door, such as at least50% of the width of the door, is unobstructed by a seat or seat cushion.In one implementation, a width of the door is completely unobstructed bya front edge of a seat. For example, a rear or back of a seat mayslightly or partially obstruct the opening but a front or seat portionof the seat may not obstruct the opening. Eliminating or minimizing theamount of door opening that is obscured by a seat may allow a user tomore easily enter or exit by walking into the vehicle 100 while keepingtheir body square or parallel with the opening. A seat or other objectmay be considered obscuring the opening if it is within three feet, twofeet, one feet, or less of the opening of the door 110. In onembodiment, other objects such as tables cabinets, or other structuresmay also not obscure the opening.

The door handle 116 is located on the door 110 to improve access andsafety when engaging the door handle 116 to unlock and/or open the door110. The door handle 116 may include any handle known in the art orlater developed, including, for example, a lever type, a push buttontype, a lift back type, a pull type, or any other type of door handle116. In an implementation, the door 110 is a sliding door and the handle116 is located at a portion of the door 110 nearest the front windshield130 of the vehicle 100. In an implementation, the door 110 is a slidingdoor and the handle 116 engages a drive motor to pull the door 110 openor closed when the handle 116 is engaged by a user. In one embodiment,the handle is located in a bottom half, bottom third, and/or bottomquarter of the door.

The door curvature 118 is designed to increase the aerodynamic nature ofthe vehicle 100 and to decrease drag when the vehicle 100 is in motion.The door curvature 118 matches an overall curvature 104 of the vehicle100 such that the door 110 is fully integrated into the exterior of thevehicle 100 when the door 110 is closed.

In the case of a sliding door 110, the sliding door track 120 connectswith the door 110 and provides a path for the door 110 to slide whenopening or closing. In an implementation, the vehicle 100 includes anupper door track, a mid-track, and a lower door track. In animplementation, the vehicle 100 includes a single sliding door track120. The sliding door track 120 is configured to permit the door to besmoothly opened without applying a significant amount of pressure.

The at least one exterior step 140 is mounted to or located on theexterior of the vehicle 100. The step 140 is constructed of any suitablyrigid material and is configured to support the weight of at least oneperson. The at least one step 140 is located at the door 110 such that auser may ascend the step 140 and pass through the door 110 when opened.In an implementation, the step 140 is a standard full size step. In animplementation, the at least one step 140 is fully rigid and cannot becollapsed. In an implementation, the at least one step 140 includesjoints and can be collapsed when not in use. In an implementation, thevehicle body 102 includes a handle or similar point of leverage that isconfigured to provide stability to a user when the user is ascending theat least one step 140 or entering the vehicle through the door 110. Inan implementation, the vehicle body 102 includes two handles configuredto provide two points of leverage and assist a user when ascending theat least one step 140 or entering the vehicle through the door 110. Insuch an implementation, the user may ascend the at least one step, holdon to one or more of the handles, and pass through the door 110 facingforward into the cabin interior.

The aerodynamic vehicle body 102 is configured and formed to reduce dragwhen the vehicle 100 is in motion. In an implementation, the vehicle 100is an electric powered semi-truck and the vehicle does not include acombustion engine at the front side of the vehicle. Therefore, becausethe vehicle does not include a combustion engine, the vehicle body 102may have a particularly aerodynamic shape. In an implementation, a seat(see 510 in FIG. 5) is located above a front wheel well 144. In animplementation, the front windshield 130 is located near the front-mostpoint of the vehicle 100 and the front windshield 130 and panoramicwindows 132 are configured to provide a user with a wide range ofvisibility. It should be appreciated that locating a seat 510 near thefront of the vehicle body 102 and providing a panoramic view of thesurroundings will increase safety and visibility when operating thevehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a front perspective view of a vehicle 200without a door is shown. The vehicle 200 includes a vehicle body 202having a front windshield 230, a panoramic window 232, at least one sidewindow 234, a cabin window 236, and a sunroof or moon roof 238. Thevehicle 200 includes a plurality of front wheels 242 and front wheelwells 244 and a plurality of rear wheels 246. The vehicle includes atleast one exterior step 240 leading to a door (see 110 in FIG. 1). In animplementation, the door is a sliding door that is operated by slidingthe door along a track 220 integrated into the exterior of the vehicle200. The vehicle includes a cabin interior 250 and a landing 252 withinthe cabin interior 250. The cabin interior 250 includes a sleeper areahaving a lower sleeping space 214 and an upper sleeping space 218. FIG.2 illustrates the vehicle 200 without a door (see 110 in FIG. 1) suchthat a portion of the interior cabin 250 may be shown.

In an embodiment, the landing 252 is an open space and it includes aflat horizontal landing 252. Where the front windshield 230 denotes thefront of the vehicle 200, the landing 252 is located at a backside of aseat (see 510 in FIG. 5). In an implementation, the landing 252 islocated behind a front wheel well 244. In an implementation, the landing252 is located in front of a sleeping space 214, 218. In animplementation, the landing 252 extends from the door opening to a walldirectly opposite the door opening. In an implementation, the vehiclebody 202 includes two doors 110 directly opposite from one another, andthe landing 252 extends from one door opening to the other door opening.

In an implementation, the size and shape of the landing 252 isconfigured to accommodate at least one person. In an implementation, thelanding 252 has a vertical ceiling height that is configured toaccommodate a person without the need for the person to bend over. In animplementation, the landing 252 has a vertical ceiling height of atleast eight feet. In an implementation, the landing 252 has a verticalceiling height of at least seven feet. In an implementation, the landing252 has a vertical ceiling height of at least six feet six inches. In animplementation, the landing 252 has a vertical ceiling height of atleast six feet. In an implementation, the landing 252 has a verticalceiling height of at least five feet six inches.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a rear perspective view of a vehicle 300 madein accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure isillustrated. The vehicle 300 includes a vehicle body 302 having at leastone side window 334 and at least one cabin window 336. The vehicle 300includes a plurality of front wheels 342 and front wheel wells 344 and aplurality of rear wheels 346 and rear wheel wells 348. The vehicle 300includes at least one step 340 leading to a vehicle door 310. The door310 includes a handle 316, an aerodynamic door curvature 318, and anintegrated door window 314. In an implementation, the door 310 is asliding door and it is opened and closed by sliding on a track 320.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view of a vehicle 400 made in accordancewith the teachings and principles of the disclosure is illustrated. Inan implementation, the vehicle 400 is a semi-truck with a semi-trailer460 and a vehicle body 402. The vehicle 400 includes a plurality offront wheels 442, front wheel wells 442, rear wheels 446, and rear wheelwells 448. The vehicle body includes a front windshield 430, a panoramicwindow 432, at least one side window 434 and a cabin window 436. Thevehicle body includes a vehicle door 410 having a handle 416 and anintegrated door window 414. In an implementation, the door 410 is asliding door and the vehicle body includes a sliding door track 420. Thevehicle body includes at least one step 440 located at the base of thedoor 410 that may permit a user to access the door 410 and comfortablyenter or exit the vehicle body 402.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a side view of a vehicle 500 showing interiorcomponents of the vehicle 500 is shown. As illustrated in FIG. 5, thevehicle 500 is a semi-truck having a vehicle body 502 and a semi-trailer560. The vehicle 500 includes a plurality of front wheels 552 and aplurality of rear wheels 546. The vehicle 500 includes at least one seat510 wherein a driver or a passenger of the vehicle may sit. In animplementation, the vehicle body 502 includes only a driver seat 510 andin a further implementation the vehicle body 502 includes a driver seat510 and a passenger seat. The vehicle body 502 includes a steering wheel512 positioned in front of a driver seat 510. The vehicle includes atleast one step 540 mounted to the exterior of the vehicle body 502 andwherein a user may ascend or descend the at least one step when enteringor exiting the vehicle body 502 through the door (see 110 in FIG. 1).The vehicle body 502 includes a cabin interior 550 having a landing 552.FIG. 5 further illustrates distance markings D1 and D2 that are furtherdisclosed and discussed with respect to FIG. 7. D1 illustrates adistance from a front end of the vehicle body 502 to a rear mostlocation on the front wheels 542. D2 illustrates a distance from a frontend of the vehicle body 502 to a front most location on the front wheels542. The first distance D1 is greater than the second distance D2. D3illustrates a distance or horizontal distance between a front mostportion and a rear most portion of the front wheel well 544. In animplementation, the entirety of the at least one seat is located withinthe horizontal distance D3 of the front wheel wells 544.

The vehicle cabin interior 550 includes a number of features to providecomfort and convenience to an operator or passenger of the vehicle 500.In an implementation, the cabin interior 550 includes a coolingappliance 520 and a microwave oven 526 or other small appliance. Thecabin interior includes a plurality of storage spaces 522. The cabininterior 550 includes a lower sleeping space 514 and an upper sleepingspace 518. The cabin interior includes a display 516 such as atelevision, monitor, touch screen monitor, computer, and the like. Thecabin interior 550 includes at least one cabin window 536.

The cooling appliance 520 includes any of a powered refrigerator, apowered freezer, a powered refrigerator and freezer combination, or anon-powered version of any of the aforementioned cooling appliances. Inan implementation, the cooling appliance 520 is located opposite thedoor (see 110 in FIG. 1). The cooling appliance 520 may be mounted to awall of the vehicle body 502, and/or it may be mounted to the landing552, or it may be freestanding. In an embodiment, the cooling appliance520 is powered by the ESS of the vehicle 500. In an implementation, thecooling appliance 520 includes an internal volume of at least five cubicfeet. In an implementation, the cooling appliance 520 includes aninternal volume of at least ten cubic feet. In an implementation, thecooling appliance 520 includes an internal volume of at least fifteencubic feet. In an implementation, the cooling appliance 520 includes aninternal volume of at least twenty cubic feet.

In an implementation, the microwave oven 526 is located opposite thedoor (see 110 in FIG. 1) and is mounted above the cooling appliance 520.It should be appreciated that the microwave oven 526 may be replacedwith any other suitable appliance or may be replaced with a storagespace without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Inan embodiment, the microwave oven 526 is powered by the ESS of thevehicle 500.

In an implementation, a plurality of storage spaces 522 are built in tothe cabin interior 550. It should be appreciated that the cabin interior550 may include a storage space 522 located in any suitable place. Astorage space 522 may be located, for example, underneath the lowersleeping space 514 or above the upper sleeping space 518, underneath thelanding 552 flooring, on a backside of a seat 510, above the microwaveoven 526, to the side of the cooling appliance 520, or any othersuitable location.

In an implementation, the display 516 is mounted to a wall of the cabininterior 550 opposite the door (see 110 in FIG. 1) and between the lowersleeping space 514 and the upper sleeping space 518. The display 516 mayinclude any display known in the art or later discovered such as, forexample, a light-emitting diode display, an electroluminescent display,an electronic paper display, a plasma display panel, a liquid crystaldisplay, an organic light-emitting diode display, and the like. Thedisplay 516 may include a television, a computer monitor, a touchscreendisplay, or any other suitable display. The display 516 may be inelectronic communication with a network interface, a computing device,or any other suitable appliance. In an embodiment, the display ispowered by the ESS of the vehicle 500.

In an implementation, the lower sleeping space 514 and the uppersleeping space 518 are located farther from the front of the vehicle(see 130 in FIG. 1) than the door (see 110 in FIG. 1). That is, thelower sleeping space 514 and the upper sleeping space 518 are located atthe backside portion of the cabin interior 550. Each of the sleepingspaces 514, 518 may be mounted to at least one wall of the vehicle 500and the sleeping spaces 514, 518 may be hinged on one side such that thesleeping space 514, 518 may be hinged and stored away when not in use.Each of the sleeping spaces 514, 518 are accessible from the landing552. In an implementation, each of the sleeping spaces 514, 518 includesa mattress. In an implementation, at least one of the sleeping spaces514, 518 includes a standard sized mattress in a twin size, a full size,or a queen size. In an implementation, at least one of the sleepingspaces 514, 518 includes a non-standard size mattress.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a front perspective view of a vehicle 600illustrating interior components of the vehicle 600 is shown. Thevehicle 600 includes at least one seat 610 and a steering wheel 612. Thevehicle 600 includes a cabin interior 650. The cabin interior 650includes a cooling appliance 620, a microwave oven 626 or other smallappliance, and a plurality of storage spaces 622. The cabin interior 650includes a lower sleeping space 614 and an upper sleeping space 618 thatform a sleeper in the cabin interior 650. The vehicle 600 includes frontwheels 642. The vehicle 600 includes at least one step 640 mounted tothe exterior of the vehicle, wherein the at least one step 640 permits auser to safely enter or exit the vehicle 600 through a door (see 110 inFIG. 1). The cabin interior 650 includes a landing 652 adjacent to thedoor 110 that is configured to accommodate at least one person.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cooling appliance 620 and microwave oven626 extend into the cabin interior 650. In an embodiment, the landing652 extends from the door 110 to the cooling appliance 620 in onedirection and from the lower sleeping space 614 to the backside of theat least one seat 610 in the perpendicular direction. In animplementation, the landing 652 is of a sufficient size to comfortablyfit at least one person. In an implementation, there is sufficientvertical space from the landing 652 to the ceiling of the cabin interior650 for a user to stand in the landing 652 without the need to bendover.

The cabin interior 650 is configured to permit a person to enter thecabin interior 650 through a door 110 and comfortably stand at thelanding 652. A person may access either of the lower sleeping space 614or the upper sleeping space 618 from the landing 652. A person maycomfortably access and open either of the cooling appliance 620 and themicrowave oven 626 while standing at the landing 652. A person mayaccess the at least one seat 610 from the landing. In an implementation,as illustrated in FIG. 6, the vehicle 600 includes two seats 610 and auser may access either of the two seats from the landing 652 by passingbetween the two seats 610.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an aerial view of a vehicle 700 showinginterior components of the vehicle 700 is shown. The vehicle 700includes a plurality of front wheels 742 and a plurality of rear wheels746. The vehicle includes at least one seat and may include a driver'sside seat 710 and a passenger's side seat 714. The vehicle includes asteering wheel 712 positioned in front of the driver's side seat 710.The vehicle includes at least on step 740 mounted to the exterior of thevehicle 700. The at least one step 740 may provide access to a door (see110 in FIG. 1) or it may not lead to a door. The vehicle 700 includes acabin interior 750 having a landing 752 and a number of features toprovide comfort and convenience to a user. The cabin interior 750includes a sleeper including a lower sleeping space 714 and an uppersleeping space 718.

The vehicle 700 includes a front end of the body 724. The front wheels742 include a first rear most location 720 that is a first distance D1from the front end of the body 724. The front wheels 742 include asecond front most location 722 that is a second distance D2 from thefront end of the body 724. The first distance D1 is greater than thesecond distance D2. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the majority of at leastone of the seats 710, 714 is located within the first distance D1 of thefront wheels 742. As discussed above, this placement of the at least oneseat 710, 714 is made possible by the vehicle 700 being an electricpowered vehicle 700 and not including a combustion engine. A typicalsemi-truck in the prior art having a combustion engine does not includespace for at least one seat to be located in a position above a frontwheel relative to the body of the vehicle. In an embodiment, thesteering wheel 712, the at least one seat 710, 714, and the controlsnecessary for operating the vehicle are located in a position proximalto the front of the vehicle 724 where a combustion engine wouldtypically be located in a prior art combustion-based semi-truck. Becausean embodiment of the present disclosure is an electric poweredsemi-truck without a combustion engine, the at least one seat 710, 714can be located at a first distance D1 of the front wheels 742 relativeto the front of the vehicle 724.

In one embodiment, a foremost portion of a door is behind the firstdistance D1. For example, all portions of an opening revealed by a doormay be greater than the first distance D1 from the front of the vehicle.Thus, the door may provide access to a cabin behind a seat, such as adriver's seat or driver compartment. In one embodiment, all portions ofa driver's seat, when in a driving position, are within the firstdistance D1 of the front of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the foremostpart of a door may be located further than the second distance D2 and/orfirst distance D1 from the front of the vehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an aerial perspective view of a vehicle 800showing interior components of the vehicle 800 is shown. The vehicle 800includes an interior cab 850 having a number of features to providecomfort and convenience to a user. In an implementation, the interiorcab 850 includes a sleeper consisting of a lower sleeping space 814 andan upper sleeping space 818. In an implementation, the interior cab 850includes a cooling appliance 820, a microwave oven 826, and a pluralityof storage space 822. The interior cab 850 includes a cabin window 836and may include at least one sunroof or moon roof (see 138 in FIG. 1).The vehicle includes a plurality of front wheels 842 and a plurality ofrear wheels 846. The vehicle includes at least one seat 810, 814 and mayinclude a driver's side seat 810 and a passenger's side seat 814. Thevehicle includes a steering wheel 812 positioned in front of thedriver's side seat 810.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a front view of a vehicle 900 made inaccordance with the principles and teachings of the disclosure is shown.The vehicle 900 includes a front windshield 930, at least one panoramicwindow 932, and at least one cabin window 936, and at least one roofwindows 938. The vehicle 900 includes a plurality of front wheels 942, aplurality of front wheel wells 944, and a plurality of rear wheels 946.

EXAMPLES

The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

Example 1 is a vehicle including a body and a cabin located within thebody of the vehicle. The cabin comprises an interior that is configuredto accommodate at least one person. The vehicle includes at least oneseat located in the interior of the cabin and the seat is configured forseating a user. The vehicle includes at least one door that providesingress and egress to the interior of the cabin of the vehicle, and theat least one door is located with respect to the body of the vehicle,such that it provides ingress and egress into the cabin from a backsideof the seat.

Example 2 is a vehicle as in Example 1, wherein the vehicle is anelectric vehicle including a battery pack that is coupled to an electricdrive train.

Example 3 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-2, wherein the includes acombustion engine configured to generate power by using combustionenergy of fuel.

Example 4 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-3, wherein the vehicleincludes only a single door.

Example 5 is a vehicle as in Example 4, wherein the single door islocated on a driver's side of the vehicle.

Example 6 is a vehicle as in Example 4, wherein the single door islocated on a passenger's side of the vehicle.

Example 7 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-3, wherein the at leastone door of the vehicle includes a first door and a second door.

Example 8 is a vehicle as in Example 7, wherein the first door islocated on a driver's side of the vehicle and the second door is locatedon a passenger's side of the vehicle.

Example 9 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-8, wherein the doorslides on an upper track, a mid-track, and a lower track locatedexternally on the body of the vehicle to open and close the at least onedoor.

Example 10 is a vehicle as in Example 9, wherein the at least one doormoves outward with respect to the body and backward with respect to theat least one seat as the door is moved to an open position.

Example 11 is a vehicle as in Example 10, wherein an activation signalturns on a drive motor to pull the at least one door open and closed.

Example 12 is a vehicle as in Example 1, wherein the at least one dooris hinged at one end and attached to the body of the vehicle to open andclose the at least one door.

Example 13 is a vehicle as in Example 1, wherein the at least one dooris the foremost door providing ingress or egress into the interior ofthe cabin.

Example 14 is a vehicle as in any of Example 1-13, wherein there is noadditional door that is located in front of the at least one doorproviding ingress or egress into the interior of the cabin.

Example 15 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-14, wherein the at leastone door includes a peak load sensor configured to sense a threshold,such that when a load on the at least one door is higher than thethreshold, a control unit reverses the direction of the at least onedoor and prohibits the at least one door from closing.

Example 16 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-15, wherein the at leastone door is located approximately at a midpoint of the body of thevehicle to provide ingress and egress into the cabin.

Example 17 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-16, wherein the vehicleis a semi-truck.

Example 18 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-17, wherein the vehicleis an electric driven class 7 semi-truck.

Example 19 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-17, wherein the vehicleis an electric driven class 8 semi-truck.

Example 20 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-19, wherein the vehiclefurther comprises a sleeper within the cabin.

Example 21 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-20, wherein the at leastone door opens into the sleeper of the cabin.

Example 22 is a vehicle as in Example 20, wherein the sleeper includes abunk bed, a refrigerator having a volume that is at least 15 cubic feet,a table, and a microwave oven.

Example 23 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-22, wherein the cabinincludes a driver's seat and a passenger's seat, and wherein access tothe driver's seat is provided between the passenger's seat and thedriver's seat.

Example 24 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-23, wherein an openinginto the cabin includes a clearance that is at least six feet fiveinches in height.

Example 25 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-24, wherein the vehiclefurther comprises a sleeper and wherein entry into the cabin of thevehicle provides full access to the at least one seat and the sleepersimultaneously.

Example 26 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-25, wherein the vehiclefurther includes at least one full-size step and at least one hand holdto provide at least two points of leverage for access and entry into theinterior of the cabin.

Example 27 is a vehicle as in Example 26, wherein there are two stepsand two hand holds that provide four points of leverage for entry intothe interior of the cabin, such that a user enters into the cabin facingforward.

Example 28 is a vehicle comprising a body having a front end and a rearend. The vehicle includes a plurality of front wheels located proximallywith respect to the body and a plurality of rear wheels located distallywith respect to the body. The front wheels include a first rear mostlocation that is a first distance from the front end of the body and asecond front most location that is a second distance from the front endof the body. The first distance is greater than the second distance. Thevehicle includes a cabin located within the body, wherein the cabinincludes an interior with at least one seat located in the interior thatis configured for seating at least one person. The majority of the atleast one seat is located within the first distance of the front wheels.

Example 29 is a vehicle as in Example 28, wherein the body of thevehicle includes a plurality of front wheel wells that correspond to theplurality of front wheels. The front wheel wells include a front mostportion and a rear most portion with a horizontal distance therebetween.The entirety of the at least one seat is located within the horizontaldistance of the front wheel wells.

Example 30 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-29, wherein the atleast one door is located with respect to the body, such that the atleast one door opens to provide ingress and egress into the cabin from abackside of at least one seat.

Example 31 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-30, wherein the body ofthe vehicle includes an opening having a width and a height thatcorresponds with the at least one door, and wherein there is no seatinside the cabin that obstructs the width of the opening.

Example 32 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-31, wherein the vehicleis an electric vehicle including a plurality of electric motors and aplurality of gear trains that each correspond with each of the pluralityof electric motors.

Example 33 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-32, wherein the vehicleincludes a combustion engine configured to generate power by usingcombustion energy of fuel.

Example 34 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-33, wherein the vehicleincludes only a single door.

Example 35 is a vehicle as in Example 34, wherein the single door islocated on a driver's side of the vehicle.

Example 36 is a vehicle as in Example 34, wherein the single door islocated on a passenger's side of the vehicle.

Example 37 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-33, wherein the atleast one door of the vehicle includes a first door and a second door.

Example 38 is a vehicle as in Example 37, wherein the first door islocated on a driver's side of the vehicle and the second door is locatedon a passenger's side of the vehicle.

Example 39 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-38, wherein the atleast one door slides on an upper track, a mid-track, and a lower tracklocated externally on the body of the vehicle to open and close the atleast one door.

Example 40 is a vehicle as in Example 39, wherein the at least one doormoves outward with respect to the body and backward with respect to theat least one seat as the door is moved to an open position.

Example 41 is a vehicle as in Example 40, wherein an activation signalturns on a drive motor to pull the at least one door open and closed.

Example 42 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-38, wherein the atleast one door is hinged at one end and attached to the body of thevehicle to open and close the at least one door.

Example 43 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-42, wherein the atleast one door is the foremost door providing ingress or egress into theinterior of the cabin.

Example 44 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-43, wherein there is noadditional door that is located in front of the at least one doorproviding ingress or egress into the interior of the cabin.

Example 45 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-44, wherein the atleast one door includes a peak load sensor configured to sense athreshold, such that when a load on the at least one door is higher thanthe threshold a control unit reverses the direction of the at least onedoor and keeps the at least one door from closing.

Example 46 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-45, wherein the atleast one door is located approximately at a midpoint of the body of thevehicle to provide ingress and egress into the cabin.

Example 47 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-46, wherein the vehicleis a semi-truck.

Example 48 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-47, wherein the vehicleis an electric driven class 7 semi-truck.

Example 49 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-47, wherein the vehicleis an electric driven class 8 semi-truck.

Example 50 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-49, wherein the vehiclefurther comprises a sleeper within the cabin.

Example 51 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-50, wherein the vehiclefurther includes a sleeper within the cabin and the at least one dooropens into the sleeper of the cabin.

Example 52 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-51, wherein the vehiclefurther includes a sleeper within the cabin and the sleeper includes abunk bed, a refrigerator having a volume that is at least 15 cubic feet,a table, and a microwave oven.

Example 53 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-52, wherein the vehiclefurther includes a sleeper within the cabin and wherein entry into thecabin of the vehicle provides full access to the at least one seat andthe sleeper simultaneously.

Example 54 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-53, wherein the openinginto the cabin includes a height that is at least six feet five inches.

Example 55 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-54, wherein the cabinincludes a driver's seat and a passenger's seat, and wherein access tothe driver's seat is provided between the passenger's seat and thedriver's seat.

Example 56 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-55, wherein the vehiclefurther includes at least one full-size step and at least one handholdto provide at least two points of leverage for access and entry into theinterior of the cabin.

Example 57 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 28-56, wherein the vehiclefurther includes two steps and two handholds that provide four points ofleverage for entry into the interior of the cabin, such that a userenters into the cabin facing forward.

Example 58 is a vehicle as in any of Examples 1-57, wherein the vehicleis a hybrid vehicle comprising electrical and combustion components.

In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific implementations in which the disclosure may bepracticed. It is understood that other implementations may be utilizedand structural changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. References in the specification to “oneembodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicatethat the embodiment described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarilyinclude the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic isdescribed in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it iswithin the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature,structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodimentswhether or not explicitly described.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not belimited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but shouldbe defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents. The foregoing description has been presented for thepurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed.Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. Further, it should be noted that any or all of theaforementioned alternate implementations may be used in any combinationdesired to form additional hybrid implementations of the disclosure.

Further, although specific implementations of the disclosure have beendescribed and illustrated, the disclosure is not to be limited to thespecific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated.The scope of the disclosure is to be defined by the claims appendedhereto, any future claims submitted here and in different applications,and their equivalents.

1-27. (canceled)
 28. A vehicle comprising: a body comprising a front endand a rear end; a plurality of front wheels located proximally withrespect to the body and a plurality of rear wheels located distally withrespect to the body, wherein the front wheels comprise a first rear mostlocation that is a first distance from the front end of the body and asecond front most location that is a second distance from the front endof the body, wherein the first distance is greater than the seconddistance; a cabin located within the body, wherein the cabin comprisesan interior with at least one seat located in the interior that isconfigured for seating at least one person; wherein a majority of the atleast one seat is located within the first distance of the front wheels.29. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the body of the vehicle comprises aplurality of front wheel wells that correspond to the plurality of frontwheels, wherein the front wheel wells comprise a front most portion anda rear most portion with a horizontal distance therebetween, wherein theentirety of the at least one seat is located within the horizontaldistance of the front wheel wells.
 30. The vehicle of claim 28, furthercomprising at least one door that provides ingress and egress to theinterior of the cabin, wherein the at least one door is located withrespect to the body, such that the at least one door opens to provideingress and egress into the cabin from a backside of the at least oneseat.
 31. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the body of the vehiclecomprises an opening having a width and a height that corresponds withthe at least one door, wherein there is no seat inside the cabin thatobstructs the width of the opening.
 32. The vehicle of claim 28, whereinthe vehicle is an electric vehicle comprising a plurality of electricmotors and a plurality of gear trains that each correspond with each ofthe plurality of electric motors.
 33. The vehicle of claim 28, whereinthe vehicle comprises a combustion engine configured to generate powerby using combustion energy of fuel.
 34. The vehicle of claim 28, furthercomprising a single door that provides ingress and egress to theinterior of the cabin of the vehicle.
 35. The vehicle of claim 34,wherein the single door is located on a driver's side of the vehicle.36. The vehicle of claim 34, wherein the single door is located on apassenger's side of the vehicle.
 37. The vehicle of claim 28, furthercomprising a first door and a second door that each provide ingress andegress to the interior of the cabin of the vehicle.
 38. The vehicle ofclaim 37, wherein at least one of the first door or the second doorslides on an upper track, a mid-track, and a lower track locatedexternally on the body of the vehicle to open and close the at least onedoor.
 39. The vehicle of claim 38, wherein the at least one of the firstdoor or the second door moves outward with respect to the body andbackward with respect to the at least one seat as the door is moved toan open position.
 40. The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the first door islocated on a driver's side of the vehicle and the second door is locatedon a passenger's side of the vehicle.
 41. The vehicle of claim 38,wherein an activation signal turns on a drive motor to pull the at leastone door open and closed.
 42. The vehicle of claim 28, furthercomprising at least one door that provides ingress and egress to theinterior of the cabin of the vehicle and wherein the at least one dooris hinged at one end and attached to the body of the vehicle to open andclose the at least one door.
 43. The vehicle of claim 28, furthercomprising at least one door that provides ingress and egress to theinterior of the cabin of the vehicle and wherein the at least one dooris the foremost door providing ingress or egress into the interior ofthe cabin.
 44. The vehicle of claim 28, further comprising at least onedoor that provides ingress and egress to the interior of the cabin ofthe vehicle and wherein there is no additional door that is located infront of the at least one door providing ingress or egress into theinterior of the cabin.
 45. The vehicle of claim 28, further comprisingat least one door that provides ingress and egress to the interior ofthe cabin of the vehicle and wherein the at least one door comprises apeak load sensor configured to sense a threshold, such that when a loadon the at least one door is higher than the threshold a control unitreverses the direction of the at least one door and keeps the at leastone door from closing.
 46. The vehicle of claim 28, further comprisingat least one door that provides ingress and egress to the interior ofthe cabin of the vehicle and wherein the at least one door is locatedapproximately at a midpoint of the body of the vehicle to provideingress and egress into the cabin.
 47. The vehicle of claim 28, whereinthe vehicle is a semi-truck.
 48. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein thevehicle is an electric driven class 7 semi-truck.
 49. The vehicle ofclaim 28, wherein the vehicle is an electric driven class 8 semi-truck.50. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the vehicle further comprises asleeper within the cabin.
 51. The vehicle of claim 50, wherein thesleeper comprises a bunk bed, a refrigerator having a volume that is atleast 15 cubic feet, a table, and a microwave oven.
 52. The vehicle ofclaim 50, further comprising at least one door that provides ingress andegress to the interior of the cabin of the vehicle and wherein entryinto the cabin of the vehicle provides full access to the at least oneseat and the sleeper simultaneously.
 53. The vehicle of claim 28,wherein an opening into the cabin comprises a height that is at leastsix feet five inches.
 54. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the cabincomprises a driver's seat and a passenger's seat, wherein access toeither of the driver's seat or the passenger's seat is provided betweenthe passenger's seat and the driver's seat.
 55. The vehicle of claim 28,wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one full-size step and atleast one hand hold to provide at least two points of leverage and foraccess and entry into the interior of the cabin.
 56. The vehicle ofclaim 28, wherein there are two steps and two hand holds that providefour points of leverage for entry into the interior of the cabin, suchthat a user enters into the cabin facing forward.
 57. (canceled)
 58. Thevehicle of claim 28, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle comprisingelectrical and combustion components.